Biography: Daniel Greene Sr., 101, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather peacefully passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Daniel Sr. was born on April 14, 1918. He attended the Beaufort, SC school system, and worked on a farm milking cows during his teen and young adult years. He was joined in holy matrimony to the late Ruth Greene on November 19, 1938. They enjoyed 75 wonderful years of marriage together. Five children were born to this union: Connie, Niecy (deceased), Daniel Jr., Deborah (deceased), and Bessie.
Daniel Sr. moved to New York in 1944 and lived in Harlem until he moved to Amsterdam Houses in 1954. He worked for Spotless Cleaners in Paterson, NJ for over 30 years until his retirement in 1981. He received awards from Spotless Cleaners for exemplary work, and hardly missing a day of service during his work
tenure.
Family for Daniel Sr. was a priority, and he will be remembered as a man who fiercely loved his family. He took pride in raising his children, and having a very active role in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a gentle soul, with the most loving and generous heart. He would give anyone his last. Thanksgiving and Christmas were special in the "Greene" household, and Daniel Sr. took great pride in the family fellowshipping together. Daniel Sr.'s hobbies and interests included: Fishing with his close buddies, painting pictures, building and fixing things (he was very handy), playing checkers with his great-grandchildren, collecting coins, and he loved watching westerns and cowboy movies. He also enjoyed watching Judge Judy, The Haves and the Have Nots, and the news. He took great pride in shopping for the women in his family, and selected great items for them as he had exquisite taste. Our family is very proud of the fact that the Lord blessed Daniel Greene Sr. to be able to take care of himself. He still walked to the local supermarket, post office and pharmacy to pick up his prescriptions in his neighborhood. He cooked, dressed himself and had a daily routine. He had his complete mental faculties until the end.
Daniel Greene Sr.’s children would like you to remember:
Connie: “He was the most supportive father a girl/ woman could ever have. Throughout all the phases of my life, he was always there.” Daniel Jr: - My father, “daddy” as I called him was a hard-working man who loved, provided and protected our family. He was supportive, loyal, provided unconditional love, and taught me many things. My father was great at fixing things, and I learned all of his skills. When we fixed things and worked on projects together, that was our time to connect and bond. As men we don’t express emotion that often, but there are several times in my life when I knew my father was proud of me. I fed my father his “Last Supper” in the hospital. I will cherish this father-son bonding moment forever. He was a great dad, and I will miss him as long as I live.
Bessie: “My Dad was awesome, always there and present in my life. I could call on him anytime day or night. He always had a solution or would get one of his friends to help. He would always supervise though even to the end. Although I am sad, I am also happy because I had him in my life. Take your rest now, sleep in peace you earned it good servant. I will always love you.”
When asked what his secret is for living such a long life, he heartily replied, "Mind Your Own Business, and You'll Live Long."
He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 75 years, Ruth in 2014; his daughters; Niecy & Deborah (1997), and beloved Aunt Lillie in 1981 who helped him find a job after moving to NYC. He leaves loving and precious family members to cherish his memory: Children: Connie, Daniel Jr., and Bessie. Grandchildren: Shawn, Timothy, Nyja, Tanique, Ayana, Jason and Tiffany. Great- Grandchildren; Brittny, Isaiah, Mariah, Kristian, Mya, Ashley, Faith, Autumn. In-Laws: Louise, Leroy, Anthony, Lionel, Eva, Stephanie and a host of other special friends too numerous to mention.